Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs

A Columbia medical student poses with Hilda Hutcherson, MD, senior associate dean for diversity and multicultural affairs at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (ODMA) at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) was established in 1968 to directly support the college’s focus on recruiting, counseling, and nurturing a diverse student body.

ODMA provides guidance concerning future career choices as well as counseling and advisement sessions to facilitate the transition processes for students as they advance through the medical school curriculum.
ODMA hosts a number of pipeline programs that provide exposure and enrichment opportunities for students from middle school to recent college graduates.
ODMA supports multicultural student organizations that provide a forum for student participation in campus affairs, student recruitment, social events, and service initiatives in the local community.

Through these activities, VP&S and the entire CUIMC community enjoys tremendous diversity in its student body, distinguished faculty, and patient population.